Theodore f



(No ModeL) T. F. KRUEGBR BUTTON HOOK. I

' No. 487,054. Patented Nov. 29, 1892.-

W/T/VESSES I M/VE/VTOR UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THEODORE F. KRUEGER, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

BUTTON-HOOK.

srnorrrcn'rron forming part of Letters Patent uddeaoee, dated November 29, 1892.

Application filed March 15,1892. Serial No. 424,957. (No model.) I

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, THEODORE F. KRUEGER, a citizen of the United States, and aresident of New York city, in the county and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Button-Hooks, of which the following is a specification.

This invention has reference to an improved button-hookof that class by which the shoes canbe buttonedwithout stoopingdown, so that the ladies can readily button their shoes without any inconvenience in doing so; and the invention consists of a button-hook the shank of which is composed of two sections, of which one is attached to the handle, while the other section, having a hook-shaped end, is connected with the handle-section by a flexible joint formed of a chain and a helical spring that surrounds the chain and is seated on the adjacent ends of the shank-sections, so that a yielding connection between the sections is obtained.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a side elevation of my improved button-hook, showing the same in the act of buttoning a shoe. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the button-hook shown in normal position. Figs. 3 and 4 are respectively a side elevation of the flexible joint of the shank-sections and a vertical longitudinal section of the same, drawn on a larger scale; and Fig. 5 is a detail side view of the inner end of one of the shanksections.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

Referring to the drawings, A represents the handle, and B the shank, of my improved button-hook. The shank B is made of two sections 12 b, a fixed section b, that is attached to the handle, and a yielding outer section b, which is provided at its outer end with a hook and which is connected with the fixed sections by means of a flexible joint 0, that is formed of an interior chain d, which connects the adjacent ends of the fixed and yielding shank-sections b b and a surrounding coilspring (1, as shown clearly in Figs. 3 and 4. The inner adjacent ends I) of the shank-sections b b are flattened and perforated, so as to facilitate the attaching of the connectingchain d. The coil-sprin g d is retained in position on the ends I) of the shank-sections b b by being soldered into annular grooves 19 which are arranged close to the slightly-enlarged ends 12 so that the spring (2' is rigidly retained in position on the shank-sections whatever be the angle of intenuation of the outer or hook section to the fixed shank-section I).

When my improved button-hook is to be used, the outer hook end is passed through the buttonhole of the shoe and applied to the button, the button being then drawn through the buttonhole by the handle of the buttonhook, which is readily accomplished with little practice, the flexible joint permitting the buttoning up of the shoe, while the great length of the shank does not require the inconvenient stooping down for buttoning.

My improved button-hook may be made in various sizes, the flexible joint being the main feature in all the sizes, as thereby the outer section of the button-hook may be readily placed into the different positions required for buttoning up a shoe, While the fixed shanksection remains in a more or less upright position, as shown in Fig. 1. As aconsiderable strain is exerted on the flexible joint, care has to be taken that a good and strong steel chain is employed for connecting the adjacent ends of the shank-sections, which, in connection with the surrounding spring, imparts the required degree of flexibility and durability to the joint of the shank-sections.

When the button-hook is not in use, the spring returns the outer hook-shaped section into line with the fixed shank-section, so that it has the appearance of an ordinary button-hook of elongated shape, provided with a yielding or flexible joint.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. A button-hook the shank of which is formed of two sections, one being attached to the handle, while the outer section is connected with the handle-section bya flexible joint formed of an interior chain and an exterior coil-spring, substantially as set forth.

2. A button-hook the shank of which is formed of a handle-section and an outer yielding section that is connected to thehandlesection, a flexible joint formed of an interior chain attached tothe perforated inner ends of the shank-sections, and a coil-spring that surrounds the chain and is secured to the adjacent ends of the section, substantially as .set forth.

3. A button-hook the shank of which is formed of two sections, a fixed handle-section and an outer section having a hooked-shaped end, said shank-sections being provided with enlarged flattened and perforated inner ends and annular grooves close to said endsand connected by a flexible joint composed of a chain attached to the inner ends of the shanksections, and a coil-spring the ends of which are attached 'to the grooves back of the enlarged ends, substantially as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as myinvent-ion I have signed my name in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

THEODORE F. KRUEGER. Witnesses:

PAUL GoEPEL, CHARLES SGHROEDERF 

